Verzameling van Verscheide Tuin Gezigten, naa 't Chinees Gevolgt, zo genaamde Grotwerken, Koepels, Kabinette, Boogen (...) c. 1770 - 1824

This print, titled "Verzameling van Verscheide Tuin Gezigten", was made by Harmanus Henke, sometime around the late 18th century. It’s an etching, a process by which lines are incised into a metal plate – in this case, copper – using acid. The controlled corrosion of the metal allows for the creation of precise, repeatable images. It's a labor-intensive technique, demanding a skilled hand and careful attention to detail. The resulting print is a direct reflection of this process, with its delicate lines and subtle tonal variations. Interestingly, the print advertises 'Chinese' garden designs. This was a period when the West was fascinated by the East, though often filtered through a lens of fantasy and exoticism. The print embodies this cultural exchange, or perhaps cultural appropriation, reflecting the social dynamics of the era. It connects skilled labor, and printmaking, to global trade and a fascination with otherness.